Brussels hosted meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Endowment for Democracy (11/01/2013)

The Board of Governors of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) met in Brussels on 9 January.

The meeting was co-chaired by Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, together with MEP Elmar Brok, chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, also participated in the meeting.

The Board discussed the strategic vision and mandate for the EED and appointed Mr Jerzy Pomianowski, currently State Secretary in the Government of Poland, as the Executive Director of EED.

In her opening statement, Catherine Ashton said: “The Endowment comes at a very timely moment, as 2013 will be a crucial year for democratic transitions, in particular in the EU’s neighbourhood.”

Štefan Füle said: “With this new initiative we are sending a clear message of solidarity to the peoples of the Neighbourhood, assuring them that their democratic aspirations and their fight for human rights will be heard and supported by the European Union. The European Union can also bring its experience and know how to help them address the challenges of transition from authoritarianism to democracy.”

Background

The EED is a joint political project by the EU and its Members States. It was established in October 2012.

The Foundation’s main purpose is direct grant-making to pro-democracy activist and/or organisations struggling for democratic transition in the European Neighbourhood and beyond, through specific flexible procedures.

The EED takes the form of a private law Foundation, governed by its own Statute and governing bodies. The Foundation is in the process of completing its setting up process and recruitment of staff. The EED should be operational during the first half of 2013. More information